Jamie Goen, a veteran of NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service as well as the International Pacific Halibut Commission, is the new executive director of Alaska Bering Sea Crabbers.
Goen most recently worked as branch manager with the International Pacific Halibut Commission, overseeing its fisheries data collection programs.
Before that, she worked as the congressional affairs liaison to the head of NOAA. While at NOAA for 15 years, she worked on fishing quota programs, including serving as the lead on implementation of the Trawl Rationalization Program. In addition, she also worked in New England on the Atlantic Sea Scallop Quota Program.
“Goen comes with a wealth of experience in fisheries management, starting in her career traveling the world on oceanographic vessels running scientific equipment, having sailed every ocean except the Arctic,” Alaska Bering Sea Crabbers said in a press release. “It was traveling the world, seeing the variety of fishing communities, and thinking about how they play a role in sustainably managing their resources that she really became interested in fishermen and fishing communities.”
Goen has a master’s degree from the University of Washington in marine policy, focusing on using fishermen’s knowledge in management. After graduate school, she worked for the North Pacific Fishing Vessel Owners’ Association Vessel Safety Program briefly before working with NOAA.
“Throughout my career, I have been drawn to stakeholders and their role in managing resources, helping them navigate the process and encouraging their voice,” Goen said. “While in the past it has been from inside governance bodies, I am very excited to be representing the Alaska Bering Sea Crabbers directly as an industry voice to maximize the benefits from the Crab Rationalization Program, to provide delicious crab to consumers, and to ensure a sustainable fishery for generations to come.”
